Did you try any? I love a good wine flight and the vibe at these types of places. I fear I'm getting to old for a lot of "bar" scenes! I would love to check out the best options when I'm in the city in 2 weeks. I drink all wine, from Rieslings to the Heavy hitting zins so flights are a great option! Thanks

I have been wanting to go to Gramercy Tavern since the last time we went to NY, thats what made me choose them over EMP. I'm sure next time I'll pick EMP over the new trendy place, lol. Thank you tho. Thinking we'll slip into the bar after the empire state building for a few drinks and small plates?I love the idea of Txikito, any other dishes you recommend. Still torn on brunch- need a reservation for 11 (or earlier) since our flight leaves at 2:40 we'll need to go straight to JFK. Do you know if they serve the cassoulet at Benoit for weekend brunch and is it overall better than The NoMad?

Great suggestions, thanks so much! Thinking NY I was thinking Murrays- I meant Beecher's NYC, The Cellar, doh (hence the seattle reference). I'm sure we'll make some snacks at Murray's as well but in the am/early afternoons between touristy stuff.

So you think the MF Ssam bar is the best of them? How hard is it to get in on a Friday night, I dont believe they do reservations right? Ko was intriguing to me, but wasn't eager for the $125 prix fix altho I would do it if we could get a reservation! EMP was initially on my list for dinner, but Gramercy Park just beat it for me. Good choice?

Been thinking about David Burkes place, The NoMad, Benoit for cassoulet, Lupa or Eataly (want some rustic italian), maybe Pearl Oyster bar...so little time, so much food! Typing this out makes me wish we had another day, but I know I'll be eager to get home to my little one. Its just hubby and I, we could have a 3rd and 4th on Friday but not making dinner plans around them. Would like to not completely empty our wallets Friday Dinner since we are spending a good amount Weds/Thurs. Thanks :)

I heard they had 4 stores in the Tampa market and were oversaturated. That location had lower sales of "big ticket" items. The Hyde park store also closed and is now West Elm I believe. The Wire Grass and International plaza are remaining open

We went for the first time recently, I was so impressed with their service. It didn't matter if they were serving a group of 4 30-somethings (us), a big extended family of 12, an older obviously wealthy couple; they made you feel like you were their only table. It was extradorinary. I did like that the steaks came with the soup, salad and sides. I find most steakhouses force you to order large (expensive) ala carte sides. This allowed us to order the fanstastic sauces - we all got Châteaubriand and a differnet sauce so we could sample. The Pinot sauce and gorgonzola beat out the au poivre and horseradish. I do feel that the dessert room and tour are part of the Berns experience. 4 desserts were all delicious. Go with what you like or sounds good- you won't be disappointed. Would like to go back and try their short ribs, altho the ones at side berns are pretty good so I may stick with those.

We regurlarly grab a pie from Best NY Pizza, yum! Their canolis are filled to order and are so rich I could only eat 1/2 of one! I do not care for ther overly greasy, bready knots tho. We Like Anthonys for a change, and killer rosemary wings, and Wood fired for more Northwest style.

We've been once. I was very impressed. The space is small, but comfortable. I don't think I would love dining at the hightop "bar" area on a weekend- standing room only when we were there. The service was good, knowledgable and timely. Food was exciting and tasty. Overall, will def go back. Pricewise its considerably more than the Refinery, which I consider our weeknight go to depending on the menu. I give it an A-

I turn to CH to help with my one and only pregnancy craving- Pumpkin. I'm up for any type of recipe, savory, sweet you name it. So far I've made a very nice black bean- pumpkin soup with jalepenos, iced-spiced pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cranberry muffins and a disgusting pumpkin milkshake. I try to eat fairly healthy, but can do a unhealthy recipe in moderation too. Appreciate in advance your favorite pumpkin recipe :)

PreparationPreheat oven to 375°.Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and next 5 ingredients (though cloves); stir well with a whisk.Combine granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (through egg) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until combined. Fold in cranberries.Place 12 paper muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Spoon batter into prepared cups. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pan immediately; place on a wire rack.

Went for anniversary dinner and while it was good it was not great and was very overpriced. Disney property has some other, better places for a special event. Very family oriented, casual vibe- noisy large open space. View of the kitchen was cool though. Have been to all the Iron Chefs restaurants now (except Michael Symon) and this was my least favorite.

Yeah, a local (as in North Tampa) burger place with great service and more importantly- Great BURGERS! So my husband and I took my dad and 10 year old nephew to BM. Everyone was very pleased. I got a 6 oz with pepper jack and banana peppers, hubby got 6 oz with Chai Chup and grilled onions, my dad got a 6 oz with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and my nephew got a (gasp) chicken sandwich *shaking head in shame*. I am always a bit let down with 5 guys burgers and knew I would be happy just when I saw this burger. It was thick and juicy, and the flavor- spot on YUM. And really- truly medium rare, yes! The fries were perfectly crispy, balanced salt. Fries are my ultimate weakness and they were right up there on my list of favorites. Surprisingly my nephews chicken was also quite good, moist and well seasoned. It was around 45 bucks for the 4 of us- thats with a water, 1 fountain drink and 2 very generous and tasty milkshakes. I am quite eager to go back and try a version of Eds burger- minus shrooms. Just have to run to the gym first, lol.

Wow! Lets say you made things more complicated- in exactly the right way. I am currently salivating over all these choices. Just wanted to say awesome recs and I will figure out which place will fit the bill :) Loving the intamacy of North Pond or Spiaggia so far. Thanks so much! <Edit- any place with a cheese course menu is my friend, but a cheese ritual (hello- Café des Architectes!) is fabulous. Will def go there for the lunch menu while getting my shop on the mag mile!>

Spending my last Birthday of my 20's in Chicago. I would really love to go to a nice place for dinner on the evening of my bday. We have reservations for Frontera Grill Friday night, and Mercat a la Planxa on Sunday. My birthday falls on Saturday, I prefer a place with reservations so we don't have to wait around all night. I like to dress nice and my hubbie doesn't mind either as long as it isn't a suit. Obviously those are the least important things, I don't care about the scene- I really just want an Amazing meal. I like pretty much all cuisines, from authentic Italian, ethiopian, all forms of asian (esp Sushi and Thai), and good ol American, which could be anything right? Obviously mexican and tapas but already getting those on other nights. Open to all suggestions :) Thanks

I have eaten a few here a few times with friends for random birthdays, celebration type meals, its always been a pleasant experience even if not so memorable "i have to go back there". We also had our company party here last night. One of the people I work with used to be a waitress there. She filled me in on the details. The pasta is shipped in refrigerated and dishes are made on site. Including the sauces, from scratch. Anything not used at the end of the day is disposed of, either to staff or sadly, the dumpster. IMHO my mother makes the best lasagna in the world, because of this I rarely order it at a restaurant. However the meal was preordered and it looked pretty good. I did try it and wound up eating the entire piece I took. Yum, I was impressed, not my moms but tasty not the less. I could tell the lasagna is made with "fresh" not dried pasta. The chicken pasta dish had a very heavy alfredo sauce, I did try it and it was good but a little too heavy for my preference. The salads, esp the spinach version with crispy prosciutto were quite good. Calamari app was tender, a little too much breading but still good. Stuffed mushrooms tender and flavorful. Last of all was supposed to be the cookies but they were out and replaced it with a fantastic mint tiramisu.

It is called Bearss Groves.14316 Lake Magdalene BoulevardTampa, FL 33618(if coming from 275 side its on the left just after light on Lake Emerald Blvd. if coming from Dale Mabry side you will see all the signs and groves before the road on right)

Filled a canvas bag yesterday with onions, garlic, apples, bell and poblano beppers, butternut squash, cilantro, chives, mint, basil, (herbs all 99cents a bag), some tiny juicy asian pears, scallions, ginger and some horseradish chedder cheese for about 20 bucks. They also had a lot of really nice looking pumpkins, fresh boiled peanuts and a large array of winter squash and gourds.

Just got back from my trip to NoLa. I did include a trip to the Saturady market (at 9am, after a late night that was rough but doable). Started at the first booth with homemade scones and cinnamon buns- both flaky and super good. Would have been nice heated but obviously difficult to do in a parking lot, lol. CCFM booth had a decent coffee for a dollar that went well with "breakfast". It was definetly a "neighborhood" market feel, intimate but well stocked. Plenty of seasonal produce including some lovely apples we bought for later. A great fresh goat cheese booth that went great with bread. There was a huge amount of seafood booths that looked great. And we got some pralines and nipples of venus as well. All in all it was a nice little diversion to the FQ that we enjoyed.PS Afterwards we went to the WW2 museum down the street. It was a really well done place, I highly recommend it)

Hey CHers, is a jacket and tie required for dinner at August? It wouldn't be an issue but would like to know in advance so my DH and I can actually make our reservation next Friday night! He would be pretty annoyed buying a new jacket when his would be sitting home in the closet, lol. He usually does khakis and a polo or pants and long sleeved collared shirt...